Dinâmica da mastite e saúde do úbere de vacas leiteiras em sistema Compost Barn sob condições tropicais

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological indexes of mastitis and udder hygiene in confined animals in the Compost Barn system, as well as to search associations between isolated pathogens from milk with, the order of calving, the lactation period, the period of the year and the humidity of the bed. Three dairies participated in the study, the samples were collected in different periods in each farm. Individual samples were collected in duplicate for SCC analysis and microbiological examination. The udder hygiene score was assessed. Bed material samples were collected on two farms for analysis of bacterial density and moisture. Environmental pathogens were the most isolated cases of clinical mastitis, with Escherichia coli being the most isolated pathogen. In subclinical mastitis the most isolated pathogens were coagulase negative Staphylococcus and of the contagious pathogens, which presented the highest prevalence was Streptococcus agalactiae. Bed moisture remained within the control range during the study and was not associated with the incidence of environmental pathogens. The animals remained in good udder hygiene during the study. Poor udder hygiene contributed to the increased incidence of environmental pathogens in one of the farms. During the warmer and higher rainfall period, a higher number of animals with a score of ≥ 2 were observed. The mid and late lactation periods presented a higher risk of incidence of contagious, opportunistic and environmental pathogens. Calving order ≥ 2 was associated with na increased incidence of contagious and environmental pathogens. The results of the present study indicate that the profile of pathogens isolated from milk in animals confined in Compost Barn is similar to other confinement systems. The period of the year had na influence on the udder hygiene score even the system being a closed confinement, which reinforces the importance of bed management throughout the year. The results of this research showed the dynamics of mastitis and udder health in Compost Barn confinement system. It was also possible to observe that the udder hygiene can be na auxiliary tool to control environmental pathogens in the farm routine.